Hand-grip for handle-bars.



Patented Sept. ll, I900.

UR M SE E.L D N A H 8 W0 F P ZR TG E D N A AH l 9 B 7 5 5 0 N(Application filed Sept. 8, 1896.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST GETZ AND WILLIAM C. WESTALL, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

HAND-G RIP FOR HAN DLE-BARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,697, datedSeptember 11, 1900.

Application filed September 8. 1896. Serial No. 605,050. N0 model.)

To rtZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, AUGUST GETZ and WILLIAM C. WEsTALL, citizens of theUnited States,residing at San Francisco,in the county of San Franciscoand State of California, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Hand-Grips for Handle-Bars; and we do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The present invention relates to a certain new and useful hand-grip forthe handle-bar of bicycles, which consists in the arrangement of partsand details of construction, as will be hereinafter fully set forth inthe drawings and described and pointed out in the specification.

The object of our invention is to providea grip which while allowing forthe hands to firmly grasp and hold the same will give to the pressureexerted thereon caused bythe vibratory motion of the wheel Whiletraversing over rough places or roads, so as to relieve the hands orarms of the rider of the strain or jar thereon due to the continuedvibration of the wheel.

In order to fully comprehend the invention, reference must be had to theaccompanying sheet of drawings, forming a part of this application.

Figure 1 is a broken detail view of the handie-bar of a bicycle with ourhand-grip secured to the end thereof, the elastic or inflatablegrip-cushion being shown in position within the grip frame, seat, orholder and the frame, seat, or holder in longitudinal section; and Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion and holder, taken on linewas, Fig. 1.

In the drawings the letter A is used to indicate the end portion of thehandle-bar, to which is secured the frame or holder A. This frame orholder screws onto the reduced screw-threaded end a, of the handle-bar,and its upper face or surface is cut away, so that in cross-section thesaid holder or frame presents a spoon-shaped seat a for the elastic orinflatable cushion B. The outer end of the holder or frame is providedwith a valveopening I), through which the neck of the valve 1),projecting from one end of the inflatable cushion, extends. Each end ofthe frame or holder is formed with an inwardlyprojecting lip or flangeZ) N, which lips or flanges embrace the ends of the air-cushion and holdthe same in position when filled with air under pressure. The underorlower face or half of the frame or holder remains undisturbed, so asto present a solid rest or sup port for the lower or bottom portionofthe inflatable cushion, in order to prevent pressure on the upper halfor portion bulging the bottom out. The cushion is filled with airthrough the valve 1) in the usual manner, and when inflated the samewill fit snugly and firmly within the frame or holder A, only the topand a portion of the sides being exposed, which surface forms a softelastic grip for the hands, which will give to the pressure thereoncaused by the vibratory motion of the wheel and relieve the hand of thestrain or jar incident to the vibration.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure protection in by Letters Patent, is-

1. A velocipede handle or grip consisting of an ellipsoidal pneumaticbulb having an unobstructed cavity and a longitudinal rigid shell orsupport which partially incloses the bulb, leaving the upper portionthereof ex posed, and which is provided at its inner end with a socketwhich embraces the end of the bulb and by which the shell or support isattached to the handle-bar.

2. The combination with the handle-bar of a bicycle, of the grip frameor holder removably secured thereto, said frame or holder having itsupper surface cut away so as to present a spoon-shaped seat incross-section, the flanges inwardly projecting from each end of theholder, an inflatable cushion held within the frame or holder, and anair-filling valve connected with the cushion.

In testimony whereof we affiX our signatures, in presence of twowitnesses, this 24th day of August, 1896.

AUGUST GETZ. WILLIAM C. WESTALL.

Witnesses:

LEE D. CRAIG, N. A. AOKER.

